Stokman

Location:

Kenya

Surface:

Roses

Cultivation:

South

Description:

An innovative solar energy project at the Stokman Roses production company in Naivasha.

Stokman, Kenya

The greenhouse is heated up by SanSolar, Certhon’s own innovative solar panels. The unique aspect of the SanSolar system is that the solar panels are able to heat up water to a higher temperature than existing solar panels for horticultural application.

The thermal solar system heats up water, which can then be used to heat the new greenhouse. By day, the water in het heat storage tank is pumped through the panels, which heat up the water to a minimum of 70 degrees Celsius by means of the sun. This solar heat is then stored in the tank and used for heating during the night.

The system comprises SanSolar panels, transport pipes and a heat storage tank. The panel is able to yield the highest return currently achievable from solar panels for the horticultural industry.

The panels are unique not just in terms of technical performances, but also in terms of size. The panels are exceptionally large: 21 by 1.85 meter per panel. A total of 1,100 square meters of panels are fitted, which required 28 panels. The universal SanSolar collector is fully assembled on- site with the help of local laborers.